9 Tips to prepare for a phone interview

Preparation is key! Prepare for a phone interview as you would for an in-person interview. Otherwise, you might not get the chance to get a face-to-face interview.

When scheduling a phone interview with an interviewer, find out:

•    The time of the call (and clarify any time zone differences)

•    Who is calling whom (and on what phone number)

•    How long to expect the call to last

•    Any specific preparation required for the call

•    Who will the call be with (name, job title)

Make sure you have written down the job title you are applying for, the company name, and key points you want to remember to make. This is especially important if you have several interviews scheduled. You don’t want to refer to the wrong position or company.

1.  Create a “talking points” outline. These are key points you want to cover in the interview. This can include:

•    Position and industry-specific accomplishments

•    Unique assets you possess as an employee

•    Information about the company that you learned from your research that ties into your skills, abilities, and qualifications

2.  Anticipate the conversation — think about the questions you might be asked and the key points to include in your answers. Prepare a list of questions to practice for the phone interview. You should also prepare questions ahead of time that you will ask in the interview.

3.  Practice is one of the best ways to prepare for a phone interview. Many phones today have recording device apps, so you can record the practice call to identify areas to improve. Practice speaking concisely and clearly. Many people are surprised to hear how they sound on the phone. If you don’t have a phone with a recording device, use a free conference call service, like Freeconferencing.com (freeconferencing.com). There is no cost to use the service; your only charge is for the long-distance call to access the conference line.

4.  It is important to convey your confidence and enthusiasm in a phone interview — which can be done through your voice pitch, tone, and volume.

5.  Think through where you will conduct an interview. Pick a location that will be free from distracting background noises — kids, pets, phones ringing. Turn off the TV, computer, and/or iPad. Hang a “Do Not Disturb” sign on your door.

6.  Dress for an interview — even if it is a phone interview. This may sound silly, but it really can help put you in the right “frame of mind” for your interview.

7.  Photo identity – it may help to find a photo of your interviewer and look at him or her while you are on the call. You can bet they are looking at you.

8.  Do a “dry run.” Call a friend or family member and have them test the phone connection (volume) and whether there is anything distracting that may affect the call.

9.  Prepare, prepare, prepare. The more you prepare, the better. Review the company’s website. Google your interviewer and check them out on LinkedIn. Make sure you are thoroughly familiar with the job description or job posting.

Create an opening and closing statement in advance. The opening statement might be the answer to “Tell me about yourself.” This should include a 30- to 60-second statement of why you are qualified for the job, based on what you know about the position. The closing statement should include your desire to work for the company, reiterating your interest in the job. But do not read these word-for-word.

Confidence shows in an interview whether it is on the phone or in-person. Being prepared can build your confidence and help you present yourself as the perfect candidate.